Crew members aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa recovered more than 75 bales of cocaine from the water after the suspected drug smugglers threw the drugs overboard in an attempt to flee law enforcement.

The cocaine is worth about $55 million.

The incident began when the cutter received an alert from a Canadian Maritime Patrol Aircraft operating near Panama.

A helicopter crew with the Coast Guard attempted to pursue and stop the vessel but it alluded officials. However, the cutter was able to recover the contraband.

"The entire operation ran like clockwork," said Cmdr. Susan Polizzotto, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa. "The cutter and helicopter crews did exceptionally well on this important mission and we recognize the vital support of international partners that enables us to keep dangerous drugs off our streets."

Medium endurance cutters like the Tampa are built for multi-week offshore patrols including operations requiring enhanced communications, and helicopter and pursuit boat operations, which provide a key capability for homeland security operations at sea.